Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-15

u
tation, are you not2" asked Ada McAlpin
of John Malerson, when, in accordance
with her wishes, he came to visit her on
the night Of the day when she dismissed
Paul so imperatively.
81 would be if | went in my rough, as I
did before. But, dear soul, l am as used
TO DISCUSSES as an actor; and, if you want
NE to go there, III rig up so that my
best trlend-Satan himself-Wou't know
me; though there's one there, close akin
to the devil, that hates and fears me
enough to know me anywhere. But if
she were to recognize me, she'd be mum
for her own sake"
"She! Do you mean Stella
Delorme ?''
ono; I mean her who calls herself
Madam Delorme"
with her l have nothing to do; it is
the hearts blood of Stella DelOrme which
| seek, and will have!" said Ada bitterly
"She has robbed NE of Paul's love,
which Was my life, and she must die!"
"Dear soul! how do like your spunk!
But what sort of plan have you lald?
II you're as good at plotting as you are
at hunting, you must succeed"
"YOu must disguise yourself as negro
trader and sell me to Mr.. Delorme for a
house servant; if possible, must become,
the waiting maid of Stella"
This proposition Of Ada was received
at first with long whistle Of surprise
and then with peal of coarse laughter
by the Captain. !
"Why, you dear soul.-you little
besuty-you must be crazy 10 think of
such an idea. l would like to see you
rugged up so that you could be sod for
anything but 9 white girl-and one 81 the
best l0Okin' that ever shO0k g foot!H
Stay where you are, and you Shall
see"
And, with these words, Ada left the
room.
81 do wonder what the dear soul does
meant" muttered MalersOn, wOnderIngly,
when he was left aIone. "She's thought
full creature-she Isl" said he, as be
glanced at q decapter of brandy which he
saw standing on the sideboard, with
goblet near it. "isWish l was younger
and handsomer," he added, after helping
himself tosthe beverage; "she might have
taken q Shine to me herself Once l
took among the girls like old rye amongst
Kentucky DOatmen. l was q king pin
boss Of the heap. But my day for that
hiss gone by"
The old man sighed, as if he regretted
i, and then smiled over another glass Of
brandy.
Tits done, he amused himself looking
at tie pictures and furniture in the room.
b "Nice traps" he murmured. "Must
Ehave cost pile Of dimes! What fool
Paul was not to keep in with her! Such
EcapitaI taste she has in brandy!"
Ib And he took another nip to Justify his
{ last opinion.
"She stays mighty long time" con-
tinued the Captain. 81 wonder what she's
ADDING"
At that moment q very bright and
pretty quadrOon girl, arrayed precisely as
that class do in New Orleans, entered the
room.
"Girl, where's Miss Ada?" asked the
Captain, after looking st her intently for
8 moment.
The girl made no reply, but stood still,
! and looked at him.
"Maybe you don't belong ,here?" he
said, inquirIngIy.
"Guess does, Massa MalersOn," said
the grl.
"So I suppose, since you know my
name, my flower o. tansy. But where is
Miss Ada?'
'Never great WAYS off when I'm
around, Massa Cap'H," said the girl,
showing her white teeth.
"But that isn't answering my question,
my yellow diamond"
"WeU, Massa John, you answer me one
question, den III tell you whar to find
Missy Ada"
"Weu, ask your question; I'll take g
nip OF brandy and answer it," said Mailer
son, suiting his action to the word.
"What dye think nice yaller gal like
me is with in de Orleans market?"
"Weu, let's see. l reckon you're about
eight6en-Well made up, clean rugged.
aud tOlerably good lookin' for one of
your color. Your hair isn't kinky, and
shines like a black hOre'S mane-teeIh
sound, and eyes as bright as new pewter.
l reckon you'd 60 close on to $1,000
maybe $1,000 to an old chap Ike me-"
"a pretty high priCe-yet not half what
| set upon myself" said Ada for it was
she, speaking now IN her natural voice.
"Weu, Pm willing to be swallowed by
q Frepchman for a frog" exclaimed the
Captain, in surprise. "Why, Miss Ada,
if your natural mother was here she
wouldn't know yOu!"
"That is all l wish to know. Now,
prepare your disguise as well. I shall
NSI y ilCAIJ CAiOUso1 Will liz III al pun
poses"
The keen eyes Of Ma, erson flashed as
with new idea, and re saio
Gan right, Miss Ada; l viii be ready
by morning. But it won't do for you to
carry money; that would be so out of
character for your new part, it might lead
to the discovery that you was a pos
SUNNI"
"Possibly so. will therefore intrust
my funds to you; but my weapons l will
keep to myself. And Mark me, Captain
Malerson, if l see a sign of treachery in
you, you will be my first victim!"
"Bess your dear soul, Miss Ada! I'd
sooner think of cutting my own throat
than that. You can depend upon me to
the last--to the very last!"
'Interest leads the best of men," said
Ada, quietly, "Let it lead you in this
case, tor l will make it to your interest TO
do my bidding. But now 1 must beg you
to lesve me Tor the night; have much to
arrange before morning. Call then, and |
ask my own servant-WhOm l shall leave
here until l come back-f0r Lena and |
will, under that name be ready to travel |
with you. You may have many offers for |
ne on the route, but upon the least sign |
of your treachery to me, l will reveal my
self and punish you."
To be Continued Merit VeekI